James Farrah

James joined Six Senses in January 2024 and is responsible for growing the brand across the Americas, with which he shares the same values of responsible and environmentally conscious development combined with a passion for luxury travel and wellness.

Prior to joining Six Senses, James spent seven years at Marriott International and held roles in both the law department and the development organization as Vice President of luxury hotel and mixed-use projects. He focused on site selection, market research, feasibility, design, investment analysis, and overall development for luxury brands throughout North America. Prior to the hospitality industry, James was an associate in the real estate practice group at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, D.C.

James earned his undergraduate degree and JD from Georgetown University. He is based outside of Washington, D.C., and and enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, traveling, experiencing new cultures, and keeping an eye out for luxury development opportunities. 

Jael Fischer

Based in Bangkok, Jael is responsible for expanding the Six Senses brand across the Asia Pacific – covering a diverse region from the Maldives to India, Japan, and New Zealand.

Before joining Six Senses, Jael enjoyed 11 years of hospitality experience across four continents, including five years at IHG Hotels & Resorts. She specialized in development, corporate finance, business analytics, and hotel advisory, including feasibility assessments, investment and market research, asset management, and owner representation.

Jael is an alumnus of EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management with honors and a specialization in Corporate and Real Estate Finance. She has also completed Cornell University’s Certificate Program in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management.

Originally from Switzerland but raised in Africa and Latin America, Jael speaks English, Spanish, German, and French. Living in eight countries has allowed Jael to enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. She is passionate about holistic well-being, vegan cuisine, and dog fostering (saving over 30 dogs).

Aubrey Hiebert

Aubrey is a Business Development Manager at IHG Hotels & Resorts based in Atlanta, GA. She supports the development of IHG’s Luxury, Lifestyle, and Premium brands and growth activities for the US and Canada team. Prior to her current role, Aubrey was a Manager on IHG’s Transactions and Asset Management team. Prior to joining IHG in 2019, Aubrey worked as an Analyst at Hilton in McLean, VA. Aubrey graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration.

Vijesh Patel

Vijesh graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (B.B.A.) from Goizueta Business School, triple-majoring in Finance, Economics, and Organizational Management. Before joining InterContinental Hotel Group, Vijesh completed his Master of Management in Hospitality (M.M.H.) degree with a minor in Real Estate from Cornell University.

He enjoys spending his free time reading, seeing the world, experiencing new cultures, exploring the outdoors, and trying his best to stay in shape despite a massive appetite. His motivation and energy come from human connection and creating memorable experiences. Vijesh believes his purpose starts with kindness to others.

Julienne Smith

Julienne Smith is currently the Chief Development Officer for IHG Hotels & Resorts where she oversees the company’s growth in the Americas region. Prior to joining IHG, she was Senior Vice President Development & Owner Relations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation based in Chicago from 2014 until 2019 where she was responsible for franchised and managed development in the United States and Canada. Julienne joined Hyatt in 2005 to help launch and oversee the growth of Hyatt’s select service brands throughout the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Julienne held several positions within Marriott International’s Lodging Development group in Bethesda, MD and Newport Beach, CA, prior to joining Hyatt.

Julienne is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Arts & Sciences. She currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for BU’s School of Hospitality Administration. She is an active member in several hospitality industry organizations including serving as an executive board member for AHLA’s Foundation and ULI’s Hotel Council. Julienne serves on the Advisory and Planning Committees for the Hunter Hotel Conference, The Americas Lodging Investment Summit and NYU Hospitality Investment Conference. She also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

Julienne currently sits on the board of the non-profit SafeHouse Outreach in Atlanta and volunteers for various charitable organization tied to Love Atlanta. She is an avid non-fiction reader, Yoga and mixed martial arts enthusiast, traveler and outdoor adventurer. A native of New Jersey, she currently resides in the city of Atlanta with her husband, two children and multiple dogs.